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Prof. S Krishna Sundari
Professor
krishna.sundari@jiit.ac.in
Biography

Krishna Sundari, Professor, Biotechnology Department, JIIT, NOIDA, has been in academics for the lastnineteen years. Educational institutes where worked earlier include Institute of Applied Medicines and Research (IAMR), Ghaziabad, Institute of Home Economics (IHE), New Delhi, Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi and Teri – SAS, New Delhi. Prior to academics, she gained eight years of research experience, working at places of National & International repute such as Teri (The Energy and Resources institute), New Delhi; Institute Nationale Recherche Agronomie (INRA), Champenoux, France; and brief work assignments at ENSAIA, France; Universitae Henrie Poincare, France, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.

Krishna Sundari has distinction throughout her academics (National merit Scholarship received from 1985-1987, Ranked first in the college from 1985 through 1991). She has earned Masters in Life Sciences (specialization in Plant sciences) from Hyderabad Central University (HCU), Hyderabad. Having qualified CSIR-NET, she started her research career as Research associate with Teri (The Energy and Resources Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi) and obtained Doctorate in Microbiology from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. She has done her Post Doctoral research at INRA. Institute Nationale Recherche Agronomy, Chapenoux, France, which is Europe’s premier agriculture & forestry research institute.

She harbours research Interest in the area of Microbial & Environmental Biotechnology. Present research projects of her relate to Microbial Biotechnology, Application of microbes for environment and agriculture benefits, microbial metagenome studies, development of bioformulations, bioactive metabolites from Microbes. Prof. Krishna holds membership in international scientific societies such as: International Mycorrhiza Society (CMR, Teri, New Delhi), American Society of Microbiology (ASM, Washington DC), Asian PGPR Society and Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI).

Research Highlights

Our specific works of interest include plant-microbe interactions, developing bio inoculants for sustainable agriculture, mycorrhizae research, bioactive compounds from fungi, microbial biodiversity profiling and bioremediation of organic pollutants including pesticides applying plant growth promoting microorganisms.

Development of Microbial Consortia for Bioremediation of Organophosphate Pesticides
Designing microbial inoculants that degrade pesticide residues and promote plant growth, integrating arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance efficiency and studying soil microbial community responses.

Microbial Bioconversion of Agricultural Waste into Pharmaceutically Valuable Products
Utilizing microbial systems to transform tannic acid from agro-waste into high-value pharmaceutical compounds, promoting sustainable waste management and circular bioeconomy.

Role of Mycorrhizal Fungi in Enhancing Plant Nutrition and Stress Tolerance
Investigating how arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi improve nutrient uptake, plant growth, and resilience under environmental stresses including pesticide exposure.

Soil Microbial Diversity and Community Dynamics in Agroecosystems
Profiling and monitoring soil microbial communities using molecular tools to understand changes due to pesticide application and bio-inoculant treatment, aiming to improve soil health.

Development of Native Microbial Biocontrol Agents Against Phytopathogens
Screening and deploying antagonistic microbes that control soil-borne and foliar plant diseases through multiple biocontrol mechanisms for eco-friendly disease management.

Areas Of Interest
  • Plant–microbe interactions and soil microbiome dynamics
  • Developing bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture
  • Mycorrhizal research and functional ecology
  • Bioactive compounds from fungi with agricultural and pharmaceutical potential
  • Bioremediation of organic pollutants, including pesticides, through plant growth-promoting microorganisms
Projects
  1. Project Title: Evaluate ectomycorrhizal diversity in mining-disturbed and undisturbed forest ecosystems in baster region, generate metabolic activity profiles of forest ectomycorrhizae and propose best performing isolates for soil restoration. Granting Agency: DBT iii. Position as PI. And Co PI Details: Prof. S. Krishna Sundari and Dr. Kamlesh Shukla iv. Project Cost: 35.552 lakh
  2. Project Title: Formulation of Microbial Consortia with Parallel biofertilizer and biocontrol properties ii. Granting Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. iii. Project duration: 4 years (2010-2014) iv. PI: Dr. S Krishna Sundari (JIIT, NOIDA) Co-PI: Dr. Reena Singh (TERI, New Delhi) v. Total Grant value: 57.39 lakh (JIIT: 24.22 Lakhs)
  3. Project Title: Ability of select PGPM strains to remediate organophosphate pesticides commonly used in agriculture ii. Granting Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. iii. Project duration: iv. PI: Dr. S Krishna Sundari v. Total Grant value: Rs. 659600
  4. Project Title: Application of customized PGPM based formulations for reclamation of soil permeated with Organophosphate pesticide residues. ii. Granting Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. iii. Project duration: iv. PI: Dr. S Krishna Sundari v. Total Grant value:
  5. Post Doctoral Research Fellowship Grant: Screening of native microbes with tannase producing ability, production of tannase and gallic acid using alternate substrate ii. Granting agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India iii. Project duration: 4 years (January 2012 – December 2015) vi. PI: Dr. S Krishna Sundari v. Grant Value: 19,44,594 Lakhs
  6. Project topic: Biotechnological solution for attaining longer shelf life and portability of microbial inoculum. ii. Granting agency: Trident GreenTech Pvt. Ltd., Andhra Pradesh. iii. Project duration: August 2015 - February 2017 iv. PI: Dr. S Krishna Sundari v. Grant value: 19 Lakhs approx.